What Is Macro Photography?

If you take a picture of a leaf, it’s macro photography. If you take a picture of a flower, it’s macro photography. If you take a picture of an insect, it’s macro photography.

Yes, there is a more technical definition of macro photography. But frankly, I don’t care about it. Because that’s not what macro photography means to most people. And I want you to know the term as it’s commonly used, not the way a dictionary would put it!

(For those who are curious, the technical definition of macro photography is the photography of subjects that appear to be life size or greater on the camera sensor.)

Macro vs Micro Photography: What’s the Difference?

Here’s a common question:

What’s the difference between macro and micro photography?

And the answer?

There is none.

“Micro” is just the name that Nikon uses to refer to its close-focusing lenses. Whereas Canon (and Sigma, and Tamron, etc.) uses “Macro” to refer to these lenses.

Best Cameras for Macro Photography

If you’re a macro photography beginner, you’re going to need some basic equipment.

But don’t worry. Macro photography doesn’t have to break the bank.

First, you need a camera. There’s no way around that.

I recommend a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Both of these cameras take interchangeable lenses–so you can purchase several lenses and switch them in and out.

However, the gap between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is closing fast, at least when it comes to macro lenses. If you can handle the reduced number of options, mirrorless is a fine option.

Fortunately, there are a number of inexpensive DSLR and mirrorless cameras that will get you incredible macro photos.

For instance, my backup camera body is a Canon 7D (and you can pick it up used for under 300 dollars). I’ve taken some of my favorite macro shots with that camera–even though it’s no longer even close to top-of-the-line.

If you’re struggling to choose, I’d go with one of the newer Canon or Nikon bodies:

I wouldn’t spend too much time on this choice. You can capture amazing shots on basically any modern DSLR or mirrorless camera.

However, you do have to be careful when choosing a macro photography lens:

Best Lenses for Macro Photography

Now, there are actually a few ways of doing macro photography with your camera.

First, you can use a close-up filter.

Close-up filters attach onto the front of your camera lens, and allow you to take macro shots. They’re basically like a magnifying glass.

While close-up filters can be fun to play around with, I don’t recommend them for macro photography. They’re cheap, and it shows–the image quality is nowhere near what you’d get with a dedicated macro lens.

Second, you can use extension tubes.

These simply add distance between the lens and the camera sensor, effectively increasing the magnification. You can generally purchase them for cheaper than a dedicated macro lens (though you have to already have a lens to use them with).

While extension tubes can be a good way to test the macro photography waters, there are a few things you should know:

Extension tubes decrease the working distance between your camera and your subject. That is, at high magnifications, your lens (with extension tubes) will be very close to your subject. Which means that extension tubes won’t work well for insect photography, where your subject can be easily scared off.

Lenses are made to be especially sharp at certain sweet spots. Macro lenses are therefore designed to work extremely well at close-focusing distances. Whereas a lens with an extension tube won’t be constructed to shoot macro shots. Yes, the shots can still be good. But they won’t necessarily be dedicated-macro-lens good.

Which brings me to the third option:

A dedicated macro photography lens.

If you’re at all serious about learning macro photography, you should purchase a macro lens.

3. Choose a Clean, Undamaged Subject

That’s why it’s essential that you inspect your subject before photographing it. If there’s any dirt, brush it away. If there are any holes or wilting tips, choose another flower (or photograph the flower so that the holes or wilting bits aren’t visible).

1. Photograph Flowers on Overcast Days

Clouds act as a giant diffuser–they take the harsh light, and turn it all gorgeous and soft.

Which, in turn, helps colors to stand out:

2. Photograph Flowers During the Golden Hours

The “golden hours” are the early morning and late afternoon–the times just after sunrise and just before sunset.

During these times, the sun is low in the sky. And the light is a wonderful golden color.

This golden lighting is much softer than the light from mid-afternoon. You can capture some wonderful macro photography shots!

So get out when the sun is rising and setting.

You’ll be surprised by how much this little change improves your macro photography.

Macro Photography for Beginners: Composition

Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within a photograph.

And composition is one of the key aspects of macro photography.

A good composition will result in a good photo.

But a poor composition?

It will ruin an otherwise great shot.

So here are some composition tips to use in your macro photos:

1. Isolate Your Subject

The best macro photography compositions…

…are powerful.

They feature one subject–that hits you right over the head.

And they feature nothing else.

No distractions.

Now, if you can ensure there are no distractions in your macro photos, you’re already on your way to capturing amazing shots.

Here’s what I advise:

As soon as you find a macro composition, take a moment. Look around the frame for anything distracting.

And if there are any distractions, get rid of them! Isolate your subject!

You can do this by changing the composition. Or you can physically remove the distractions (e.g., twigs, leaves) from the frame.

2. Position Your Subject Using the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a fundamental composition technique, one that goes back at least as far as the Renaissance masters.

It states:

The best composition is the one that places your subject a third of the way into the frame.

That is, you should pick out your main subject (the focal point of your shot).

And then position it a third from the sides of the frame.

The rule of thirds actually comes with a set of helpful gridlines:

Notice that all of the gridlines are positioned one-third of the way into the photo!

You can use these gridlines to position your subject. You should try to put your subject along one of the lines. And if you can, let your subject settle at one of the places where the lines intersect (called power points).

That will make for an especially stunning photo.

3. Include Negative Space

Negative space refers to empty space in a photo. The parts of the photo where nothing is going on.

And it’s important to include negative space in your macro photography compositions.

Here’s why:

Negative space emphasizes your subject. It causes the viewer’s eyes to go straight to the focal point of the photo.

For both of these reasons, you should strive to include some negative space.

Incorporating white sky is a great way of adding negative space to the shot. But a nicely blurred background can also serve as negative space.

A Beginner’s Guide to Stunning Macro Photography: Next Steps

Now you should be able to get out and start shooting some gorgeous macro photos.

You know how to choose the perfect equipment.

You know how to choose the best subjects.

And you know how to work with light and composition.

Which means…

…nothing’s stopping you from taking amazing shots!

Also…

If you want to keep improving your macro photography skills, then you should sign up for my newsletter! I’ll send you lots of tips, tricks, and secrets, all designed to get you capturing gorgeous photos (as fast as possible!)

Jaymes is a nature photographer and photography writer/editor from Ann Arbor, Michigan. His articles have been featured by a number of leading photography publications, including Digital Photography School, Expert Photography, and PetaPixel. To read more about him, click here!